PSA: BMWs new floating center caps do not fit ZHP wheels (36122455269)

[NorCalZman]

Just letting everyone know. BMW just came out with new center caps that stay upright, kind of like the Rolls Royce center caps. I thought they were pretty subtle and neat so I ordered some. The various sources I found them at (one linked here) says the E46 is compatible, but I think that is only for the diameter. Our ZHP wheels seem to be too shallow for these to work. Since the caps have a thick weight behind them they bang into the wheel hub when you attempt to press them on. They are really neat, but Im not too broken up about it. Oh well. Save your money.

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Wheels-Tires/Wheel-Accessories/BMW-Wheel-Cap-Fixed-36122455269.html

[rguti153]

What about apex wheels . I can run stock caps on them ... i wonder if they would work

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[NorCalZman]

Your guess would be as good as mine. These seem to be pretty high quality caps. The weight on the back of the cap is pretty thick so you have to make sure you have enough room behind it for them to clip onto the wheel successfully.

Shame, as now my old caps look rather old and worn, haha I might order new stock caps just so I have something new there.

[rguti153]

You gonna sell them ? Tempted to try them on


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[NorCalZman]

I am not sure just yet. I did send a message to bimmerworld explaining the situation. If they offer a refund for me to send them back I might do that.

I doubt it’s worth keeping them as I could always buy them again if I ever get another BMW

[johnrando]

Thx for info. Keep us posted if they fit on apex

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[derbo]

If you run spacers, would this be a problem?

[NorCalZman]

If you run spacers, would this be a problem?

If that means it would give a little more space between the outside of the wheel and the hub then yes it might solve the issue.. I am not sure how big of a spacer you would need, though.

[sillieidiot]

Can I test yours on my car? Lol you seem local.

[rguti153]

We have to find out

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[NorCalZman]

Can I test yours on my car? Lol you seem local.

If I hadn't already boxed them up and arranged for a return and refund from Bimmerworld I would let you give it a shot. Once they're on they look to be pretty hard to get back off without risking any kind of damage.

Anyway, I had a discussion with Bimmerworld and they were very understanding. I suggested they include on the product page that E46s with the ZHP wheels would not work for this product. I see today they updated the product page to state that these would not work with ANY E36 or E46. Makes me wonder if they had some of these models in the parking lot to test on. Maybe all the stock wheels are too shallow. The site says these are 7mm thicker than stock caps, so that would be a way you can self measure yourself before ordering.

[joeybananaz18]

Any pics of the weight in the back?


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[NorCalZman]

Any pics of the weight in the back?


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https://www.flickr.com/photos/59241080@N03/46264028052

[joeybananaz18]

Hmmm I’d think that spacers might help


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[d-rod]

I like these, I also have apex wheels. If anyone finds out if they work with those wheels let us know!

[johnrando]

I like these, I also have apex wheels. If anyone finds out if they work with those wheels let us know!+1

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[sillieidiot]

i'll just buy some and try it. but I don't know when i'll ever get home to report back with the findings lol

[johnrando]

i'll just buy some and try it. but I don't know when i'll ever get home to report back with the findings lolHave them sent to my house and I can.

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[CarbonZHP]

Did anyone find out if they work with spacers?

[pedro2u]

are they really $88.15 each???

[John in VA]

are they really $88.15 each???
No - set of 4.

[pedro2u]

I figured that was pretty steep. I suppose it's just poor wording on the Bimmerworld page, but I just couldn't find on their site where it said it was for the set. The title lists it as:

BMW Wheel Center Cap, Fixed/Non-Spinning (36122455269)

Self-righting BMW center caps that does not rotate with the wheel. Genuine BMW part #36122455269.

Qty - 1

A little more exploring and I see that other sites like ECS Tuning describe it correctly(more clearly) as:

Floating Center Cap - Set

JohnVA - It was just about a year ago that I replaced all my tired center caps with the newer versions 36136783536 with the chrome circumference for $14.14 each from FCP based on your help! Can't change em again! They've only got 3K miles on em!

[John in VA]

Bimmerworld page states:
This new style BMW center cap uses an internal counter-weight to balance itself and always remain upright even as the wheel spins. It remains "fixed" in place with the "BMW" at the top instead of spinning with the wheel. The emblem cannot be perfectly upright all the time and will shift around a bit but will settle into a steady position.

These factory BMW center caps will work on most aftermarket wheels as well! As long as the wheel uses the standard 72.6mm center bore (like many aftermarket wheels, like our TA16, APEX, and many others) these wheel caps can give your aftermarket wheels a very factory look.

The counter-weight makes the new cap 7mm thicker so you must have this extra space available behind your existing cap. We have removed known incompatible applications from the list below (E36, E46, etc) but other exceptions may exist.

Sold only as a set of 4.

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Wheels-Tires/Wheel-Accessories/BMW-Wheel-Cap-Fixed-36122455269.html

[pedro2u]

noted. Thanks. Should have read read more carefully

[ZHP_Brandon]

So we can’t use these on E46’s at all?
Just want to be clear, would love a set for my 219M’s


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[bandwagn]

Apparently they make these in two sizes - I bought some off eBay from ‘mybimmerparts’ and they fit my style 197’s. The listing shows the same part number and mentions a 65mm diameter - which should be the same center cap as the 135, but there may be a depth issue since the hub seems thicker for the 197 vs the 135 (you can kidof see how the 197 curves out at the center cap while the 135 design is flatter)


https://www.instagram.com/p/B2x0Qv_Bynx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

[ZHP_Brandon]

Apparently they make these in two sizes - I bought some off eBay from ‘mybimmerparts’ and they fit my style 197’s. The listing shows the same part number and mentions a 65mm diameter - which should be the same center cap as the 135, but there may be a depth issue since the hub seems thicker for the 197 vs the 135 (you can kidof see how the 197 curves out at the center cap while the 135 design is flatter)


https://www.instagram.com/p/B2x0Qv_Bynx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Interesting, so Pre-E90’s have 65MM and Post-E90 have 65mm+?

These look awesome


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[CarbonZHP]

They work on 135s. Oem BMW. Tested today on my wheels waiting to be mounted.


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[CarbonZHP]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190925/96a2efa98758d467a0794a7bebf05e04.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190925/b23d704e02edcfb4fb94ae34fd0234db.jpg


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[ZHP_Brandon]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190925/96a2efa98758d467a0794a7bebf05e04.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190925/b23d704e02edcfb4fb94ae34fd0234db.jpg


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*Orders instantly* lol


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[CarbonZHP]

They fit fine in the wheel, and the hub ring of the spacer is no where near the weight, but maybe there's still a chance the factory hub ring protrudes too much?


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[sillieidiot]

i think it's the cover for the hub nut that is touching and not the hub lip itself being the problem. That's probably why spacers help.

[CarbonZHP]

Could always just take them off. They're plastic on F chassis and we remove them to do spacers anyway

[johnrando]

What about with apex wheels?

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[CarbonZHP]

I'll be in marina del Rey this weekend if you want me to bring a cap up to try


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[johnrando]

I'll be in marina del Rey this weekend if you want me to bring a cap up to try


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkThat could work!

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[sillieidiot]

Could always just take them off. They're plastic on F chassis and we remove them to do spacers anyway


yeah i have the turner hub extenders on mines. might not work with my car lol

[rguti153]

What about with apex wheels?

Sent from my SM-G955U using TapatalkI read some where they work with apex wheels

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[NorCalZman]

i think it's the cover for the hub nut that is touching and not the hub lip itself being the problem. That's probably why spacers help.

This is exactly what the issue is with stock ZHP wheels. The new caps are thicker (because of the weight, obviously) and hit the hub nut cover and prevent it from going in all the way, ever so slightly. Thats what I tried to say in my first post and what prevents a stock ZHP from using these caps.

[ZHP_Brandon]

This is exactly what the issue is with stock ZHP wheels. The new caps are thicker (because of the weight, obviously) and hit the hub nut cover and prevent it from going in all the way, ever so slightly. Thats what I tried to say in my first post and what prevents a stock ZHP from using these caps.

Wouldn’t a rubber mallet and some beer help with the clearance issue? Or am I just a brute? Lmao


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[NorCalZman]

Wouldn’t a rubber mallet and some beer help with the clearance issue? Or am I just a brute? Lmao


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‘Hah, well something plastic or metal would definitely have to bend or break for that to work. I was not about to damage 100 dollar center caps though, so I gently packaged them back up and sent them back for a refund. I definitely tried for a good 10-15 minutes though.

[ZHP_Brandon]

‘Hah, well something plastic or metal would definitely have to bend or break for that to work. I was not about to damage 100 dollar center caps though, so I gently packaged them back up and sent them back for a refund. I definitely tried for a good 10-15 minutes though.

Lol no not the center caps! lmao I meant the dust cover to the wheel hub/bearing assembly.
I’m sure a few good blows would help get it on. It wouldn’t be direct bolt on but it would work, at least I think so


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[sillieidiot]

Yeah it doesn't take that long to take the cover off. Iono if it's ok to leave it open to the elements though.